Martha, “You are Wrong About My White Farmhouse Kitchen!” and Sunday Morning Coffee

I am perhaps the biggest fan of Martha Stewart, but for the first time, I disagree with her about my white farmhouse kitchen.

Recently Martha shared an article about kitchen trends that have had their time in the spotlight but are now ready to be retired. As a renowned lifestyle expert and home decor guru, Martha has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to creating beautiful kitchens, but I have to say, I disagree with half of the trends in the article that have run their course. Whether you’re planning a kitchen renovation or simply looking to update your current space, this post is a must-read. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s dive in!

Season 3 Volume 4

Thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun. Let’s get started!

About Me

Here we go again. But this time my self-appointed mentor Martha Stewart has got it all wrong!

Martha shared a blog post titled “4 Kitchen Trends That Need to Be Retired ASAP, According to Designers”.

So what are these four kitchen trends?

• white kitchens
• farmhouse decor
• colorful appliances
• granite

Ok, I agree with the last two but white kitchens and farmhouse decor? Are you kidding me?

You know that I have three white farmhouse kitchens, right?

Is a White Farmhouse Kitchen a Trend?

Regardless of who says it, trends are just trends. The most important thing for you to remember is your own preferences and style when remodeling your kitchen, rather than just following trends. Whether they are coming or going.

Go with what you like now and what you will like in twenty years. Kitchens are expensive and a lot of the choices you make when remodeling a kitchen are what I refer to as permanent items. This includes items such as cabinets, countertops, sinks, flooring, and appliances.

When it comes to permanent items, select items that you like but won’t tire of over time.

I love our white farmhouse kitchen which is over twenty years old and I still love it just as much today as I did when it was brand new! Traditional styles for the permanent items in your kitchen will trend-proof your kitchen.

Sure you can change them but the change will be expensive.

Don’t Believe Everything You Read

There are a few kitchen trends that, according to some, have become outdated in recent years. Some I agree with but there are a few I think are totally wrong.

1. Oak cabinetry: Oak cabinetry has been a popular choice in kitchens for many years, but it is now seen as dated and out of style. Hmmm.
2. Formica countertops: Formica countertops, once a popular choice for kitchen countertops, are now considered outdated and are being replaced with more modern materials such as granite, quartz, and marble.
3. Beige and white kitchens: Beige and white kitchens have been popular in recent years, but they are now considered too neutral and lacking in personality. Wrong.
4. Stainless steel appliances: Stainless steel appliances have been popular for many years but are now seen as too common and lacking in character, now other finishes like black stainless, black slate, and matte finishes are popular. Wrong.
5. Wallpapered backsplashes: Wallpapered backsplashes were once a popular choice, but they are now seen as outdated and are being replaced with more modern materials such as glass, tile, and stone.
6. U-Shaped kitchens: U-shaped kitchens were once popular for their functionality, but they are now seen as outdated and not as practical.
7. Over-accessorized kitchen: Over-accessorizing the kitchen with too many gadgets and appliances is also seen as outdated, current trend is to have a minimalistic kitchen that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. I think that should be up to the cook!

These trends are not necessarily bad, but they are not as popular as they once were, and new trends are becoming increasingly popular. It’s important to consider what you like. And not what someone else is telling you.

So a white farmhouse kitchen is here to stay.

My Latest Project

I am kind of having a hard time believing this, but I have the organizing bug.

In a really big way.

All I can say is it is about time!

Recovering From the Holidays

January is always a pretty disorganized time in our home. The kids have all left and all of the wonderful chaos from decorating, entertaining, hosting a party, holiday dinners, and more, really takes a toll just about everywhere in our home.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love it.

But disorganization causes me a lot of stress. So I have a new rule. If I open a drawer or cabinet or closet that needs some attention I take care of it right then. Not later.

I like this new system a lot.

Of course, there are two closets in our boys’ rooms that I am afraid to open because they require a lot of work (and a very long face time call with my boys). That should be fun!

Here are some of my recent tasks.

My next task is to organize the 23 water bottles that take up an entire drawer. I bought a great organizer that holds eight water bottles. So the rest will either go to the beach house or get tossed!

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My Biggest Challenge This Week

We are eight days away from completing the beach house.

Eight days!!!!

And yet, the last-minute frenzy has been quite the challenge.

But it’s weird because while it’s a challenge, I also love it.

Call me crazy?

The Crazy Finish of a Remodel

I think the craziness is just a mixture of a million little things that need to be done and the excitement that the house is really almost done. I find myself adding something to my Amazon cart (such as house numbers) and then before I am done, I find five more items that I need to order.

My lists are really long and every time I cross something off, two more things are added to the list.

There are so many details and items still to be purchased along with small delays that might have aged me a bit these past few weeks.

It’s the little things that are challenging. We are heading to the house today but can’t go upstairs because the floor guys were delayed for a day. And no one can walk o them!

So I will likely be standing on a ladder in the entryway later today trying to see how the floors look upstairs. (At least the floors downstairs were finished a few weeks ago.)

Of course, there will be some things that won’t be completed when we move in. The landscaping, drapes, and built-in closets. But almost everything else will be done!

What Was Completed This Week?

We will be at the house today and then I will be there almost every day next week. So what was completed this past week?

All of the hardwood flooring, painting, grading of the front and back yards, laying of the sprinkler and low voltage lines, and more.

And what is happening this week?

• Monday – backsplash tile in the kitchen, painting, appliance installation, outdoor concrete poured, wifi and televisions installed.
• Tuesday – Finish carpentry, installation of a vintage gate in the wall in the stairway, painting, closet doors, and more.
• Wednesday – installation of shower doors, wine cellar doors, bathroom vanities, bathroom plumbing fixtures, kitchen plumbing fixtures, chandeliers, and more.
• Thursday/Friday – Finished electrical, painting, and more.
• Saturday – cleaning.

The movers come on Monday (in eight days!) to move in all of the furniture (which is mostly new) and whatever else I have packed away in storage.

Can you tell I am excited?

But, deep down inside I am also a little freaked out.

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I shared so many fun things this week. Just tap on the linked title to read any of the blog posts.

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It’s going to be a busy week with beach house updates, a Valentine’s Day table, a display, and a wreath. Plus I am sharing a Valentine’s table and cookies.

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• Valentines Day Decor – S3/V3
• Five Things to Organize Now – S3/V2
• Happy New Year 2023 – S3/V1

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